Since its beginnings in 2000, Orangeburg County Community of Character has relied solely on the work of volunteers to bring its vision to life.

But all that has changed with the addition of a part-time, paid employee, former Superior Motors Manager Don Tribble.

It may be a far cry from the automobile business, but Tribble said he is excited to return to his roots – working with and for the community.

“I’m real excited about it,” the newly hired Orangeburg County Community of Character executive director said. “It’s something I really wanted to do. I’ve got some great people to work with. Everybody’s working for the same cause.

“The list of volunteers is just incredible. They all work very, very hard. I won’t be alone. The Community of Character has just gotten so big, the volunteers needed someone to do the legwork, the coordinating and the expanding.”

Cathy Hughes, current president of Orangeburg County Community of Character and publisher of The Times and Democrat, said the program is fortunate to have Tribble to help take the initiative to the next level.

“I have been so proud of the all-volunteer status of the organization and the grassroots support it has enjoyed while accomplishing so much in its seven years in the community,” she said. But there is a need for a full-time staff member, “And we are confident we’ve found the perfect one to lead the group of volunteers.

“Don’s commitment to youth, his enthusiasm for Orangeburg County and his knowledge of the community make him the ideal leader for the Community of Character.”

A native of Easley, Tribble graduated from Mercer University with a degree in psychology and sociology and minor in physical education. He began his career as the athletic director for the city of Macon, Ga. and the program and athletic director for the Boys Club of Macon.

Tribble, whose wife Bernice works as executive director of the Downtown Orangeburg Revitalization Association, said he would like to see the entire community get involved in character education and its promotion among young people.

“We’re going to work very closely with the schools ... to set up programs for the students,” he said. “I would like to see everyone in the county become aware of what Community of Character is about, get involved and help us become a Community of Character.”

Such programs would include a countywide character recognition for students currently planned in January; Catch-A-Kid, a program that would reward students often with certificates and prizes for displaying positive character traits; and placing “Community of Character K.I.D.S.” books in all of the county’s elementary schools.

Tribble, who has lived in Orangeburg for 20 years, said funding for the programs will be sought from local businesses.

“By working with the different schools and businesses, we’re bringing countywide recognition to the character traits,” he said. “Every day, we look at the newspaper and see all the bad things that are happening. We have to get them (children) at an early age, teach them good character.”

Community of Character is an excellent way to supplement what teachers and other responsible adults try to convey to children on a daily basis, Tribble said.

“The teachers have enough on their plates, doing what they have to do,” he said. “This will give them help.

“The more they (children) are expected to do it at an early age, the better chance we have of building good character among ourselves.

“We want to carry it to where it’s on everyone’s lips and minds in Orangeburg County. If this happens, you won’t believe the difference it could make.”

In addition to his involvement with Community of Character, Tribble is president and cofounder of the Orangeburg Touchdown Club, head of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church Administrative Board, chairman of the City of Orangeburg Planning and Zoning Commission and, as a leukemia survivor, works extensively with and was instrumental in beginning Orangeburg’s Relay for Life.

He and his wife have three children – Tracy Caulder, Brian Tribble and Todd Tribble – and five grandchildren.

-- T&D Staff Writer Wendy Jeffcoat can be reached by e-mail at wjeffcoat@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-534-1060. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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